Conveying arrangement for conveying packages or groups of beverage bottles or containers, and a method of operation thereof

Abstract

A conveying arrangement for conveying packages or groups of beverage bottles or containers, and a method of operation thereof. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

1. A beverage bottle conveying arrangement being configured and disposed to convey groups of beverage bottles, said beverage bottle conveying arrangement comprising:
 an input arrangement comprising at least a first beverage bottle conveyor and a second beverage bottle conveyor; 
 an output arrangement comprising a third beverage bottle conveyor being disposed offset with respect to each of said first and second beverage bottle conveyors; 
 each of said first, second, and third beverage bottle conveyors being configured to convey groups of beverage bottles thereon in an individual stream of groups of beverage bottles; 
 a merging arrangement being disposed between said input arrangement and said output arrangement; 
 said merging arrangement being configured to convey groups of beverage bottles from said first and second beverage bottle conveyors to said third beverage bottle conveyor; 
 said merging arrangement being configured to merge a first stream of groups of beverage bottles of said first beverage bottle conveyor with a second stream of groups of beverage bottles of said second beverage bottle conveyor into a third stream of groups of beverage bottles on said third beverage bottle conveyor; 
 said merging arrangement comprising:
 a first chain being configured and disposed to be driven in a circulating manner; 
 a second chain being configured and disposed to be driven in a circulating manner; 
 a plurality of rods being disposed between and being connected to said first and second chains; 
 said first and second chains being configured and disposed to move said rods in a transport direction transverse to the length of said rods; 
 a plurality of beverage bottle carrier plates, each being adjustably mounted on a corresponding one of said rods to permit individual movement of said beverage bottle carrier plates along the length of said rods; 
 said first and second chains, said rods, and said plurality of beverage bottle carrier plates together form a circulating, beverage bottle conveyor being configured to convey groups of beverage bottles thereon; 
 a guide rail arrangement being disposed within said circulating, beverage bottle conveyor between said first and second chains; 
 said guide rail arrangement comprising guide rails; 
 said beverage bottle carrier plates comprising fastening structures being configured to detachably connect said beverage bottle carrier plates to one another to permit the formation of beverage bottle carrier plate units comprising a plurality of beverage bottle carrier plates, which connected beverage bottle carrier plates are essentially immovable with respect to one another; 
 said beverage bottle carrier plates being configured to be connected and disconnected to permit the formation of beverage bottle carrier plate units having different sizes and comprising different numbers of beverage bottle carrier plates to permit handling of different-sized groups of beverage bottles; 
 at least one of said beverage bottle carrier plates of each beverage bottle carrier plate unit comprising a guide element being configured to be operatively disposed in a guide rail of said guide rail arrangement to effect a movement of said beverage bottle carrier plate unit along the length of said rods transverse to the transport direction, to thereby permit movement of groups of beverage bottles in a direction transverse to the transport direction while essentially preventing rotation of the groups of beverage bottles from a first orientation to a second orientation different from the first orientation; 
 said beverage bottle carrier plate units comprising at least a first beverage bottle carrier plate unit and a second beverage bottle carrier plate unit being disposed immediately adjacent said first beverage bottle carrier plate unit; 
 said guide rail arrangement being configured and disposed to guide said first and second beverage bottle carrier plate units away from one another upon said first and second beverage bottle carrier plate units being moved toward said input arrangement, to thereby align said first beverage bottle carrier plate unit with said first beverage bottle conveyor, and to align said second beverage bottle carrier plate unit with said second beverage bottle conveyor, to permit said merging arrangement to receive groups of beverage bottles from each of said first and second beverage bottle conveyors; and 
 said guide rail arrangement being configured and disposed to guide said first and second beverage bottle carrier plate units toward one another upon said first and second beverage bottle carrier plate units being moved toward said output arrangement, to thereby align each of said first and second beverage bottle carrier plate units with said third beverage bottle conveyor, to permit said merging arrangement to merge separate groups of beverage bottles from each of said first and second beverage bottle conveyors into merged groups of beverage bottles on said third beverage bottle conveyor. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The beverage bottle conveying arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said guide elements comprise removable plugs comprising connection heads; and 
 said removable plugs being configured to be inserted from the upper side of said carrier plates through corresponding openings in said carrier plates and into said guide rails, which guide rails have a substantially u-shaped cross-section. 
 
     
     
       3. The beverage bottle conveying arrangement according to  claim 2 , wherein for the purposes of securing of individual carrier plates, u-shaped fastening clamps with legs are provided which legs are connectingly secured to neighboring carrier plates for purposes of securing two plates together. 
     
     
       4. The beverage bottle conveying arrangement according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 in the transverse section of the u-shaped fastening clamp, there are provided formations configured to be operatively connected to an operating robot, or the like automating element configured for the implementation of the joining and as well the separating of carrier plates; 
 each carrier plate is equipped with an individual marking comprising a barcode or similar insignia; 
 said conveying arrangement comprises a detecting device configured and disposed to detect the marking, which said detecting device comprises a barcode reader or similar device; and 
 said conveying arrangement comprises a control unit operatively connected to said detecting device and configured to utilize the data to permit the automated gathering together of said carrier plates into carrier plate units and/or separating of individual carrier plates from said carrier plate units. 
 
     
     
       5. The beverage bottle conveying arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said guide elements comprise movable or pivotable guide arm structures that can be swung out from the underside of the carrier plates into engagement with said guide rails, or can be swung back out of engagement with said guide rails; and 
 said guide arm structures comprise formations configured to permit automated swinging in and swinging out. 
 
     
     
       6. The beverage bottle conveying arrangement according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 for the purposes of securing of individual carrier plates, u-shaped fastening clamps with legs are provided which legs are connectingly secured to neighboring carrier plates for purposes of securing two plates together; 
 in the transverse section of the u-shaped fastening clamp, there are provided formations configured to be operatively connected to an operating robot, or the like automating element configured for the implementation of the joining and as well the separating of carrier plates; 
 each carrier plate is equipped with an individual marking comprising a barcode or similar insignia; 
 said conveying arrangement comprises a detecting device configured and disposed to detect the marking, which said detecting device comprises a barcode reader or similar device; and 
 said conveying arrangement comprises a control unit operatively connected to said detecting device and configured to utilize the data to permit the automated gathering together of said carrier plates into carrier plate units and/or separating of individual carrier plates from said carrier plate units. 
 
     
     
       7. A conveying arrangement being configured and disposed to convey packages or groups of containers, said conveying arrangement comprising:
 an input arrangement comprising at least a first conveyor arrangement and a second conveyor arrangement; 
 an output arrangement comprising a third conveyor arrangement; 
 each of said first, second, and third conveyor arrangements being configured to convey packages or groups of containers; p 1  a merging arrangement being disposed between said input arrangement and said output arrangement; 
 said merging arrangement being configured to convey packages or groups of containers from said first and second conveyor arrangements to said third conveyor arrangement; 
 said merging arrangement being configured to merge packages or groups of containers of said first conveyor arrangement with packages or groups of containers of said second conveyor arrangement into a merged packages or groups of containers in said third conveyor arrangement; 
 said merging arrangement comprising:
 a first circulating arrangement being configured and disposed to be driven in a circulating manner; 
 a second circulating arrangement being configured and disposed to be driven in a circulating manner; 
 a plurality of elongated members being disposed between and being connected to said first and second circulating arrangements; 
 said first and second circulating arrangements being configured and disposed to move said elongated members in a transport direction transverse to the length of said elongated members; 
 a plurality of carrier plates, each being adjustably mounted on a corresponding one of said elongated members to permit individual movement of said carrier plates along the length of said elongated members; 
 said first and second circulating arrangements, said elongated members, and said plurality of carrier plates together form a circulating conveyor being configured to convey packages or groups of containers thereon; 
 a guide rail arrangement comprising guide rails; 
 said carrier plates comprising fastening structures being configured to detachably connect said carrier plates to one another to form carrier plate units comprising a plurality of carrier plates, which connected carrier plates are substantially immovable with respect to one another; 
 said carrier plates being configured to be connected and disconnected to permit the formation of carrier plate units having different sizes and comprising different numbers of carrier plates to permit handling of different-sized packages or groups of containers; 
 at least one of said carrier plates of each carrier plate unit comprising a guide element being configured to be operatively disposed in a guide rail of said guide rail arrangement to effect a movement of said carrier plate unit along the length of said elongated members transverse to the transport direction, to thereby permit movement of packages or groups of containers in a direction transverse to the transport direction while minimizing rotation of the packages or groups of containers from a first orientation to a second orientation different from the first orientation; 
 said carrier plate units comprising at least a first carrier plate unit and a second carrier plate unit being disposed immediately adjacent said first carrier plate unit; 
 said guide rail arrangement being configured and disposed to guide said first and second carrier plate units away from one another upon said first and second carrier plate units being moved toward said input arrangement, to thereby align said first carrier plate unit with said first conveyor arrangement, and to align said second carrier plate unit with said second conveyor arrangement, to permit said merging arrangement to receive packages or groups of containers from each of said first and second conveyor arrangements; and 
 said guide rail arrangement being configured and disposed to guide said first and second carrier plate units toward one another upon said first and second carrier plate units being moved toward said output arrangement, to thereby align each of said first and second carrier plate units with said third conveyor arrangement, to permit said merging arrangement to merge separate packages or groups of containers from each of said first and second conveyor arrangements into merged packages or groups of containers in said third conveyor arrangement. 
 
 
     
     
       8. The conveying arrangement according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 said guide elements comprise removable plugs comprising connection heads; and 
 said removable plugs being configured to be inserted from the upper side of said carrier plates through corresponding openings in said carrier plates and into said guide rails, which guide rails have a substantially u-shaped cross-section. 
 
     
     
       9. The conveying arrangement according to  claim 8 , wherein for the purposes of securing of individual carrier plates, u-shaped fastening clamps with legs are provided which legs are connectingly secured to neighboring carrier plates for purposes of securing two plates together. 
     
     
       10. The conveying arrangement according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 in the transverse section of the u-shaped fastening clamp, there are provided formations configured to be operatively connected to an operating robot, or the like automating element configured for the implementation of the joining and as well the separating of carrier plates; 
 each carrier plate is equipped with an individual marking comprising a barcode or similar insignia; 
 said conveying arrangement comprises a detecting device configured and disposed to detect the marking, which said detecting device comprises a barcode reader or similar device; and 
 said conveying arrangement comprises a control unit operatively connected to said detecting device and configured to utilize the data to permit the automated gathering together of said carrier plates into carrier plate units and/or separating of individual carrier plates from said carrier plate units. 
 
     
     
       11. The conveying arrangement according to  claim 7 , wherein said guide elements comprise movable or pivotable guide arm structures that can be swung out from the underside of the carrier plates into engagement with said guide rails, or can be swung back out of engagement with said guide rails. 
     
     
       12. The conveying arrangement according to  claim 11 , wherein:
 said guide arm structures comprise formations configured to permit automated swinging in and swinging out; and 
 for the purposes of securing of individual carrier plates, u-shaped fastening clamps with legs are provided which legs are connectingly secured to neighboring carrier plates for purposes of securing two plates together. 
 
     
     
       13. The conveying arrangement according to  claim 12 , wherein:
 in the transverse section of the u-shaped fastening clamp, there are provided formations configured to be operatively connected to an operating robot, or the like automating element configured for the implementation of the joining and as well the separating of carrier plates; 
 each carrier plate is equipped with an individual marking comprising a barcode or similar insignia; 
 said conveying arrangement comprises a detecting device configured and disposed to detect the marking, which said detecting device comprises a barcode reader or similar device; and 
 said conveying arrangement comprises a control unit operatively connected to said detecting device and configured to utilize the data to permit the automated gathering together of said carrier plates into carrier plate units and/or separating of individual carrier plates from said carrier plate units. 
 
     
     
       14. A method of conveying packages or groups of containers using a conveying arrangement comprising:
 an input arrangement comprising at least a first conveyor arrangement and a second conveyor arrangement; 
 an output arrangement comprising a third conveyor arrangement; 
 each of said first, second, and third conveyor arrangements being configured to convey packages or groups of containers; 
 a merging arrangement being disposed between said input arrangement and said output arrangement; 
 said merging arrangement being configured to convey packages or groups of containers from said first and second conveyor arrangements to said third conveyor arrangement; 
 said merging arrangement being configured to merge packages or groups of containers of said first conveyor arrangement with packages or groups of containers of said second conveyor arrangement into a merged packages or groups of containers in said third conveyor arrangement; 
 said merging arrangement comprising:
 a first circulating arrangement being configured and disposed to be driven in a circulating manner; 
 a second circulating arrangement being configured and disposed to be driven in a circulating manner; 
 a plurality of elongated members being disposed between and being connected to said first and second circulating arrangements; 
 said first and second circulating arrangements being configured and disposed to move said elongated members in a transport direction transverse to the length of said elongated members; 
 a plurality of carrier plates, each being adjustably mounted on a corresponding one of said elongated members to permit individual movement of said carrier plates along the length of said elongated members; 
 said first and second circulating arrangements, said elongated members, and said plurality of carrier plates together form a circulating conveyor being configured to convey packages or groups of containers thereon; 
 a guide rail arrangement comprising guide rails; 
 said carrier plates comprising fastening structures being configured to detachably connect said carrier plates to one another to form carrier plate units comprising a plurality of carrier plates, which connected carrier plates are substantially immovable with respect to one another; 
 said carrier plates being configured to be connected and disconnected to permit the formation of carrier plate units having different sizes and comprising different numbers of carrier plates to permit handling of different-sized packages or groups of containers; 
 at least one of said carrier plates of each carrier plate unit comprising a guide element being configured to be operatively disposed in a guide rail of said guide rail arrangement to effect a movement of said carrier plate unit along the length of said elongated members transverse to the transport direction, to thereby permit movement of packages or groups of containers in a direction transverse to the transport direction while minimizing rotation of the packages or groups of containers from a first orientation to a second orientation different from the first orientation; 
 said carrier plate units comprising at least a first carrier plate unit and a second carrier plate unit being disposed immediately adjacent said first carrier plate unit; 
 said guide rail arrangement being configured and disposed to guide said first and second carrier plate units away from one another upon said first and second carrier plate units being moved toward said input arrangement, to thereby align said first carrier plate unit with said first conveyor arrangement, and to align said second carrier plate unit with said second conveyor arrangement, to permit said merging arrangement to receive packages or groups of containers from each of said first and second conveyor arrangements; and 
 said guide rail arrangement being configured and disposed to guide said first and second carrier plate units toward one another upon said first and second carrier plate units being moved toward said output arrangement, to thereby align each of said first and second carrier plate units with said third conveyor arrangement, to permit said merging arrangement to merge separate packages or groups of containers from each of said first and second conveyor arrangements into merged packages or groups of containers in said third conveyor arrangement; 
 
 
       said method comprising the steps of:
 moving a first number of packages or groups of containers of a first size through said conveying arrangement, which said step of moving packages or groups of containers of said first size comprising the steps of:
 connecting groups of carrier plates to form carrier plate units having a first size and comprising a first number of carrier plates, which first size being sufficient to permit said carrier plate units to transport said packages or groups of containers of a first size thereon while minimizing rotation of the packages or groups of containers from a first orientation to a second orientation different from the first orientation; 
 moving a first stream of packages or groups of containers on said first conveyor arrangement to said merging arrangement, and substantially contemporaneously moving a second stream of packages or groups of containers on said second conveyor arrangement to said merging arrangement; 
 moving a first package or group of containers from said first conveyer arrangement and onto a first carrier plate unit having said first size and then moving said first carrier plate unit in a transport direction away from said first conveyer arrangement toward said third conveyor arrangement, and then moving a second package or group of containers from said second conveyer arrangement and onto a second carrier plate unit having a first size and then moving said second carrier plate unit in said transport direction away from said second conveyer arrangement toward said third conveyor arrangement; 
 guiding at least a first carrier plate of each of said first and second carrier plate units, and thereby guiding each of said carrier plates connected to said first carrier plate, to thus move each of said first and second carrier plate units toward one another in a direction transverse to said transport direction and into alignment with said third conveyer arrangement, upon said first and second carrier plate units being moved in said transport direction; and 
 moving said first package or group of containers from said first carrier plate unit into said third conveyer arrangement and then moving said first carrier plate unit in a return direction away from said third conveyer arrangement back toward said first conveyor arrangement, and then moving said second package or group of containers from said second carrier plate unit into said third conveyer arrangement and then moving said second carrier plate unit in said return direction away from said third conveyer arrangement back toward said second conveyor arrangement, and thereby merging said first package or group of containers and said second package or group of containers into a single stream of containers or packages in said third conveyer arrangement; 
 
 upon completion of moving said first number of packages or groups of containers of a first size through said conveying arrangement, moving a second number of packages or groups of containers of a second size different from said first size through said conveying arrangement, which said step of moving packages or groups of containers of said second size comprising the steps of:
 connecting groups of carrier plates to form carrier plate units having a second size different from said first size and comprising a second number of carrier plates different from said first number of carrier plates, which second size being sufficient to permit said carrier plate units to support said packages or groups of containers of a second size thereon while minimizing rotation of the packages or groups of containers from a first orientation to a second orientation different from the first orientation; 
 moving a first stream of packages or groups of containers on said first conveyor arrangement to said merging arrangement, and substantially contemporaneously moving a second stream of packages or groups of containers on said second conveyor arrangement to said merging arrangement; 
 moving a first package or group of containers from said first conveyer arrangement and onto a first carrier plate unit having said second size and then moving said first carrier plate unit in a transport direction away from said first conveyer arrangement toward said third conveyor arrangement, and then moving a second package or group of containers from said second conveyer arrangement and onto a second carrier plate unit having said second size and then moving said second carrier plate unit in said transport direction away from said second conveyer arrangement toward said third conveyor arrangement; 
 guiding at least a first carrier plate of each of said first and second carrier plate units, and thereby guiding each of said carrier plates connected to said first carrier plate, to thus move each of said first and second carrier plate units toward one another in a direction transverse to said transport direction and into alignment with said third conveyer arrangement, upon said first and second carrier plate units being moved in said transport direction; and 
 moving said first package or group of containers from said first carrier plate unit into said third conveyer arrangement and then moving said first carrier plate unit in a return direction away from said third conveyer arrangement back toward said first conveyor arrangement, and then moving said second package or group of containers from said second carrier plate unit into said third conveyer arrangement and then moving said second carrier plate unit in said return direction away from said third conveyer arrangement back toward said second conveyor arrangement, and thereby merging said first package or group of containers and said second package or group of containers into a single stream of containers or packages in said third conveyer arrangement. 
 
 
     
     
       15. The method according to  claim 14 , wherein:
 said guide elements comprise removable plugs comprising connection heads; and 
 said removable plugs being configured to be inserted from the upper side of said carrier plates through corresponding openings in said carrier plates and into said guide rails, which guide rails have a substantially u-shaped cross-section. 
 
     
     
       16. The method according to  claim 15 , wherein for the purposes of securing of individual carrier plates, u-shaped fastening clamps with legs are provided which legs are connectingly secured to neighboring carrier plates for purposes of securing two plates together. 
     
     
       17. The method according to  claim 16 , wherein:
 in the transverse section of the u-shaped fastening clamp, there are provided formations configured to be operatively connected to an operating robot, or the like automating element configured for the implementation of the joining and as well the separating of carrier plates; 
 each carrier plate is equipped with an individual marking comprising a barcode or similar insignia; 
 said conveying arrangement comprises a detecting device configured and disposed to detect the marking, which said detecting device comprises a barcode reader or similar device; and 
 said conveying arrangement comprises a control unit operatively connected to said detecting device and configured to utilize the data to permit the automated gathering together of said carrier plates into carrier plate units and/or separating of individual carrier plates from said carrier plate units. 
 
     
     
       18. The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said guide elements comprise movable or pivotable guide arm structures that can be swung out from the underside of the carrier plates into engagement with said guide rails, or can be swung back out of engagement with said guide rails. 
     
     
       19. The method according to  claim 18 , wherein:
 said guide arm structures comprise formations configured to permit automated swinging in and swinging out; and 
 for the purposes of securing of individual carrier plates, u-shaped fastening clamps with legs are provided which legs are connectingly secured to neighboring carrier plates for purposes of securing two plates together. 
 
     
     
       20. The method according to  claim 19 , wherein:
 in the transverse section of the u-shaped fastening clamp, there are provided formations configured to be operatively connected to an operating robot, or the like automating element configured for the implementation of the joining and as well the separating of carrier plates; 
 each carrier plate is equipped with an individual marking comprising a barcode or similar insignia; 
 said conveying arrangement comprises a detecting device configured and disposed to detect the marking, which said detecting device comprises a barcode reader or similar device; and 
 said conveying arrangement comprises a control unit operatively connected to said detecting device and configured to utilize the data to permit the automated gathering together of said carrier plates into carrier plate units and/or separating of individual carrier plates from said carrier plate units.